Outdoor Fireplace Designs

There are many different outdoor fireplace designs to fit nearly every type of home and situation. From chimeras to fieldstone fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces are giving homeowners the opportunity to create outdoor rooms with the warmth and charm that only a fireplace can bring.

An outdoor fireplace creates ambiance.

Choosing the style of fireplace for your outdoor room is similar to choosing a fireplace for any interior room of your home. You must take into consideration the style of the home, the surroundings, and your budget.

If you are building a new deck, you will have more options than if you are adding on to an existing one. Here are some things to consider when choosing an outdoor fireplace:

• Size of the area
• Style of the home
• How often you will use the area
• How you will use the area
  • Entertaining large groups
  • Entertaining mainly small groups
  • Personal
• How you will use the fireplace
  • Ambiance
  • Cooking
  • Heat source in cool weather
• If the area will be covered or exposed
• Budget
• Do it yourself or contractor
• Materials you prefer
• Fuel type

By making these choices ahead of time, it will be much easier to narrow down the design details that you want.

There are generally two types of outdoor fireplaces. One burns wood and one burns gas. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, so consider your own situation carefully.

With a gas stove it will always be quick and easy to start a fire. You can get remotes to start the fire from a short distance away and to control the rate of burning from your lounge chair. You will not have to worry about the wind causing the fire to smoke and making the outdoor living area uncomfortable. There is virtually no cleanup, and you never have to worry about sparks.

There is nothing like the cheery crackle of burning wood. The aromas of different varieties of wood permeate the air and add to the ambiance. Consider the way that hickory, apple, cedar, or pinon smell when they burn. Each has a unique scent that adds to the experience. There is something about gathering wood, splitting it, stacking it just right and watching that first spark catch into a hard-won flame. The crackle is friendly and relaxing, and the smoke helps to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

You can design your fireplace with grates for cooking, so it has even more versatility. Hand turning a roasting chicken on a rotisserie is a relaxing experience that is as old as fireplaces themselves. Nothing can beat the flavor of meat roasted over a fire.

Gathering with family and friends around a fireplace while enjoying the sounds of the summer night can add enjoyment to summer, while the warmth of the flames can lengthen the season so that you can enjoy their beauty in the crispness of an autumn evening.

Many people have added outdoor fireplaces and loved the result. It certainly can add value, as well as charm, to your home. Beauty and elegance are definitely part of the new designs, too. Here are a few of the new things coming out in the market.

Of course, the best way to know exactly what you want is to see it. By looking at other outdoor fireplace designs you have the opportunity to see what you like and what might work well in your own situation. Home improvement is nearly always a great investment of time, and money, in your home.

Here are some sites that have extensive galleries for you to peruse at your leisure:

• Concrete Network
• Firerock Gallery
• Outdoor Fireplace Ideas
• Rumford Outdoor Fireplaces
• Mirage Stone
• Wayray Contracting

More designers are using the convenience of stainless steel in their outdoor fireplaces. Because stainless does not rust, it is easy to keep clean and new-looking all year. Other finishes that are becoming more popular in outdoor fireplace design include natural rock, stucco, and even porcelain. Each material has a different look, and advantage, to offer the homeowner.

Many people are designing pools and fireplaces to go together, for a romantic atmosphere during an evening swim. Look at these designs:

• Vickie Morrow Swimming Pool Spa
• Platinum Pools
• Green Scene
• Ambiance Outdoors

Other new materials and ideas are being used in outdoor fireplace designs as they become more popular and more designers include them in their portfolios. One of the hottest design trends is the see-through fireplace. The fireplace is open front and back and situated in such a way that you can see the landscaping on the other side of it. You can also design it so that it serves as a fireplace in two separate areas.

If you are planning to make this a do it yourself project you might want to read up on how to build an outdoor fireplace. Be sure to check your city’s building codes to find out specifications and permits that you may need.

An outdoor fireplace may be just the detail you need to turn your home into a showplace.

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